Ice skating vehicle

ABSTRACT

An ice-skating device on which a small child can be securely seated with handle grips to hold on and footrests for further support which are built into a framework mounted on a single runner similar to an ice skate runner. The structure becomes a hand propelled vehicle by extending the framework rearwardly to properly position a pair of handles with which an experienced skater can propel the vehicle without interfering with his own freedom and ability to skate in a normal manner. The device can be converted to a roller skating vehicle having comparable advantages by simply adding a wheel at each end of the runner. Whether used by an experienced ice skater or roller skater, the device serves to provide entertainment for and supervision of a child who would be too young to skate.

United States Patent [191 Christian [451 May 27, 1975 1 ICE SKATING VEHICLE [76] Inventor: Anthony J. Christian, 100 Parker Rd., Rochester, NY. 14617 [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 387,259

[52] US. Cl 280/8; 280/13; 280/12 K [51] Int. Cl B62b 13/18 [58] Field of Search 280/12 R, 10, 23, 13, 47.3,

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Reinhard J. Eisenzopf [57] ABSTRACT An ice-skating device on which a small child can be securely seated with handle grips to hold on and footrests for further support which are built into a framework mounted on a single runner similar to an ice skate runner. The structure becomes a hand propelled vehicle by extending the framework rearwardly to properly position a pair of handles with which an experienced skater can propel the vehicle without interfering with his own freedom and ability to skate in a normal manner. The device can be converted to a roller skating vehicle having comparable advantages by simply adding a wheel at each end of the runner. Whether used by an experienced ice skater or roller skater, the device serves to provide entertainment for and supervision of a child who would be too young to skate.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ICE SKATING VEHICLE DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART The present invention relates generally to handpropelled vehicles and more particularly to an iceskating vehicle. Prior art does not indicate that there is any similar device for direct comparison to the said invention and its primary function.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION The primary object of this invention is to provide a means by which a parent or guardian who enjoys the sport of ice-skating can bring a young child along with him while partaking of the said sport. This is a hand propelled vehicle on which a child is seated and holds himself from falling off the vehicle by holding on to a set of handles while his feet are positioned on a footrest. A parent, guardian or an older child can meanwhile ice-skate freely while propelling the vehicle by means of a second set of handles attached to the vehicle for this purpose. Obviously a parent can thus enjoy the sport of ice-skating without having to leave a child unattended or having to make some other arrangement for the care and supervision of the child while the parent indulges in the sport. Another object of this invention is to provide entertainment and enjoyment for children in the age range of 2 to 7 years. Riding on the vehicle, skidding and swerving to the whims of the skater is a source of great enjoyment for the young children. A further object of the present invention is to provide a means of support for beginners in the sport of iceskating; the nature of the vehicle itself when it is in use for its primary intended purpose automatically serves as a crutch to lean on for the inexperienced skater in avoiding falls while having the inherent advantage of not appearing to be used for this said purpose. Still another object of this invention is its quick convertibility to a hand-propelled roller skating vehicle which would have the same basic advantages in the sport of roller skating as in ice-skating.

DESCRIPTION OF VIEWS AND DRAWINGS The preceeding as well as other objects, features and advantages of my invention can best be understood from the detailed description which follows and made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the device taken along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of rigid caster attachable to each end of runner to convert ice skating vehicle to a roller skating vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 of the drawings, the framework 3 of the vehicle illustrated is constructed of two rectangular steel bar sections, rear section 4 and front section 5. These sections are formed with standard bar stock of a thickness which permits cold-forming with moderate capacity forming tools yet having sufficient thickness and strength to resist distortion of the formed shape when subjected to anticipated use or abuse. The relative dimensions of framework 3 .is illustrated are essentially in proper proportion to accomodate the seating of a child ranging in age from 2 to 7 years. Sections 4 and 5 are shaped individually and then combined as shown in the drawing to form framework 3 with the functional parts in proper relationship to one another and said sections 4 and 5 being welded at points 10 and 11, said welds extending perpendicularly across the full width of the vehicle framework. At the upper end of front section 5 a tubular steel handle bar 12 is disposed and welded at points 13 and 14 said welds extending perpendicularly across the full width of the vehicle frame. Handle grips 15 and 16 are press fitted on both ends of handle bar 12 and these handle grips are used by the rider on the vehicle to hold on while the vehicle is in motion. Foot-rest 17 is welded on the lower end of section 5 at weld points 18 and 19, said welds extending perpendicularly across the full width of the vehicle frame. The rider of the vehicle places his feet of this foot-rest while the vehicle is in motion. At the upper end of rear section 4 a tubular steel handle bar 20 is disposed and welded at points 21 and 22 said welds extending perpendicularly across the full width of the vehicle frame. Handle grips 23 and 24 are press fitted on both ends of handle bar 20 and these handle grips are used by a skater to propel the vehicle as well as giving support to a beginner in preventing falls. A hardened steel runner is disposed and welded to framework 3 with its width dimension perpendicular to and its length dimension extending horizontally along said framework 3 and bridging between portion 26 and portion 27 of said framework. The welding points 28 and 29 are shown by dotted lines indicating the joining of one face edge of runner 25 to the underneath sides of portions 26 and 27 said welds extending transversely along the full length of the underneath sides of portions 26 and 27. Similar welds are made on the opposite face of runner 25. The front end 30 of runner 25 is sloped and rounded for smooth motion over a skating surface and to overcome such obstacles as ruts, projections, etc. Both edges at the bottom 31 of runner 25 which define the thickness of said rectangular runner bar make contact with the skating surface and are kept sharp at all times.

At each end of runner 25 holes 32 and 33 are defined for use in optionally mounting roller skate wheels. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a pair of roller skate wheels 42 mounted on one cut-off end of runner 25 wherein a threaded axle 43 is shown as it would be mounted in hole 32 or hole 33 and wheels 42 are mounted with spacers 44 on each side of each wheel and the entire assembly is held in place with nuts 45 at each end of axle 43. The optional addition of wheels in this manner will provide the basic advantages for those who enjoy the sport of roller skating as it does for those who partake of the sport of ice-skating.

The seat 34 shown in FIG. 1 for use only by the rider of the vehicle is constructed as shown in FIG. 2 with a plywood base 35 on top of which a sponge rubber padding 36 is placed which is covered and held in place with fabric cover 37 said fabric cover being fastened along the underneath outer edges of plywood base 35 with a plurality of staples 38. The plywood base is fastened to the vehicle framework 3 with wood screws 39 through mounting holes 40 and 41.

In having disclosed the present invention it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that certain modifications in the embodiment of my invention as illustrated are readily possible without departing from the basic tapered ends, said runner permanently attached underneath the base portion of said two-section framework;

d. a seat for a rider positioned on said leveled top portion of said two-section framework;

e. riders handles extending upwardly from the top of said framework at the front end of the riders seat;

f. and riders footrests extending upwardly and forwardly from the base portion of said combined two-section framework.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for attachment of wheels at each end of said runner. 

1. An ice-skating device having structure comprising, a. a pair of handles to propel said device, said handles extending rearwardly and upwardly from a central portion of the structure with rigid means positioning said handles substantially clear of said central portion; b. said central portion of said structure comprising a twosection framework having a base and a leveled top; c. a single runner of length and characteristics comparable to an ice-skate runner with sharp edges and tapered ends, said runner permanently attached underneath the base portion of said two-section framework; d. a seat for a rider positioned on said leveled top portion of said two-section framework; e. rider''s handles extending upwardly from the top of said framework at the front end of the rider''s seat; f. and rider''s footrests extending upwardly and forwardly from the base portion of said combined two-section framework.
 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for attachment of wheels at each end of said runner. 